OGAERLA: Who is Tamara for the world of music, how was your begininngs?
T.T: Tamara is Tamara Music has been ever present in my life. I come from a musical family so music has always been part of our lives. My first ever performance was at age 6 at the most prominent music festival in Macedonia with our icons Marijana and Rosana. I was so nervous but I loved every minute of it.
OGAERLA: Music: what is the meaning of this word for Tamara?
T.T: Music is my life.
OGAERLA: What emotions define you as a musician and a person?
T.T: I am who I am – I have never tried to be something that I am not and I think people notice that. Life is all about being honest first to yourself and then with the people around you.
OGAERLA: You carry the music in your veins, your father, mother and sister dedicate themselves to it too. Do you have any special memories where all of you share music together?
T.T: My whole childhood was filled with special moments with music. My mom says that I first started signing and then talking
OGAERLA: What advice did your family give you when you decided to follow in their footsteps?
T.T: Just to have fun and not worry to much about what others say about me.
OGAERLA: Your career took a new leap when you were second at the Suncane Skale festival in 2003 with the song “1003”. What do you remember about this experience and what did it teach you?
T.T: It was absolutely magical. This was my first major performance outside of Macedonia. I loved the song and I still love it but I never imagined that it would become such a huge hit.
OGAERLA: Your first Eurovision experience was a year later (2004) when you were Tose Proeski’s singer. How did you live this first contact with the festival?
T.T: It was a dream come true. I have been watching Eurovision since I know about myself so standing on that stage with our amazing Tose was a dream come true for me.
OGAERLA: In 2007 you participated in the Eurosong, that year and a year later in 2008, you returned to Eurovision forming a trio with Vrčak and Adrijan, what contributed in your professional growth these new approaches to Eurovision?
T.T: I loved this experience but I am still wondering why my hair and dress looked like that. I love Vrcak and Adrijan and sharing the stage with them was really one of the highlights of my professional career.
OGAERLA: In 2014, Eurovision comes back to hear from you for the third time when it was your sister Tijana’s chorus, how was it to live this dream with your sister?
T.T: I am so proud of my sister and to share the stage with her at Eurovision was really unforgettable. My sister has always been there for me and has believed in me.
OGAERLA: Then came the fourth opportunity and this year you were chosen internally to be the absolute protagonist in the representation of the newly renamed North Macedonia. What did you feel when you achieved the right to represent your country alone?
T.T: I had just given birth when I received the invitation but I said YES immediately. I am more experienced now and got much more to say. I can’t wait to perform on May 16th.
OGAERLA: With all your previous participations, we know that Eurovision has been a dream for you and in some interviews you said that you needed the opportunity to go to the festival alone, why this need?
T.T: Hmm. I don’t think I have ever said that I feel the need to be alone on the stage. I am just honored to be representing my country and I hope that the song and our performance will make my countrymen proud.
OGAERLA: “Proud” is the song that you will perform at Eurovision 2019, what story and message do you want to send with it?
T.T: The song is dedicated to my daughter but it is a song about everyone out there fighting for their dreams, believing in their dreams and not giving up on them.
I am a mother of two: a three-year-old girl and a three-month-old boy. I know it sounds like a cliché, but they truly changed my life and I feel, both, as a mother and as a parent, that it is my responsibility and OUR responsibility to bring positive change to our children’s lives.
My whole life I have been told that I wasn’t girly enough, good enough, that I walked and acted like a man. Lower your head, put something sexy on, no one cares what you really think, they would say. You see, in their minds, I was just another lost girl.
Today, as I look at my daughter, I want her to grow up in a world where people will not judge her, tell her how to act, smile and move. I want her to know that she doesn’t have to follow the rules to be accepted. I want her to be whoever she wants to be and most importantly, be proud of who she is. That’s the least I can do for her.
OGAERLA: How do you imagine your staging on the Eurovision stage?
T.T: Simple and powerful.
OGAERLA: Could you tell us what was the proposal of North Macedonia in ESC that you liked the most?
T.T: Just the fact that I was asked to represent my country was a huge honor.
OGAERLA: Eurovision has a large following in Latin America, have you visited any of our countries?
T.T: I have been to Cuba but would love to visit more countries. Hopefully it will happen soon.
OGAERLA: Any plan to promote your music in our continent?
T.T: Why not? I would gladly do it.
OGAERLA: Do you know Latino artists that you would like to collaborate with?
T.T: I love Latin music – you have so many great artists. I hope that one day this will happen.
OGAERLA: Finally, a message for all our readers …
T.T: Be proud of yourself and don’t hide your greatness.